Candriam S.C.A. Increases Stake in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. $ADP

Candriam S.C.A. boosted its stake in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) by 17.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 237,516 shares of the business services provider’s stock after buying an additional 34,914 shares during the period. Candriam S.C.A. owned 0.06% of Automatic Data Processing worth $69,711,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 0.9% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 41,300,182 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $12,736,976,000 after purchasing an additional 350,298 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Automatic Data Processing by 1.0% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 18,782,407 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $5,820,445,000 after purchasing an additional 187,415 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Automatic Data Processing by 3.1% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 11,388,935 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $3,511,698,000 after buying an additional 345,798 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Automatic Data Processing by 30,110.7% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,668,758 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $1,439,845,000 after buying an additional 4,653,304 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Automatic Data Processing by 13.5% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,576,681 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $1,411,449,000 after buying an additional 544,968 shares in the last quarter. 80.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Automatic Data Processing Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of NASDAQ ADP opened at $231.36 on Monday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $256.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $275.31. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. has a 52-week low of $230.27 and a 52-week high of $329.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The company has a market cap of $93.15 billion, a PE ratio of 22.25 and a beta of 0.85.

Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ:ADP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The business services provider reported $2.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.57 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $5.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.34 billion. Automatic Data Processing had a net margin of 19.96% and a return on equity of 68.44%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.35 earnings per share. Automatic Data Processing has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.091-11.011 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Automatic Data Processing, Inc. will post 9.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Automatic Data Processing announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, January 14th that authorizes the company to repurchase $6.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the business services provider to buy up to 5.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Automatic Data Processing Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be issued a dividend of $1.70 per share. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. Automatic Data Processing’s dividend payout ratio is presently 65.38%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Automatic Data Processing

In related news, VP David Kwon sold 806 shares of Automatic Data Processing stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.80, for a total value of $213,428.80. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 11,187 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,962,317.60. This trade represents a 6.72% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Christopher D’ambrosio sold 543 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $262.29, for a total value of $142,423.47. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 9,998 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,622,375.42. This trade represents a 5.15% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 2,249 shares of company stock worth $589,852 over the last ninety days. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Automatic Data Processing from $295.00 to $275.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a report on Monday, December 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Automatic Data Processing in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $306.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Automatic Data Processing from $272.00 to $262.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Automatic Data Processing from $290.00 to $280.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Automatic Data Processing has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $290.83.

Automatic Data Processing Profile

Automatic Data Processing, Inc (ADP) is a global provider of cloud-based human capital management (HCM) and payroll solutions. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Roseland, New Jersey, ADP began as a payroll processing company and has evolved into a diversified provider of workforce management, HR, benefits administration, tax and compliance services, and analytics for employers of all sizes.

ADP’s product portfolio includes payroll processing and tax filing, time and attendance systems, benefits administration, talent management, and HR outsourcing.